When bold simply means not quitting

Rachel BrittonJanuary 17, 2017

I’ve invited some of our #BeBoldGirls back to give us an update on their stories. Last year, Kim Wilbanks shared how she was following God’s gentle nudge to begin writing as she entered her empty nest season. Although today she has a flourishing blog, she sometimes faces the same struggles we all do to take bold steps. I hope her words encourage you if you are in a place where quitting seems like the easiest thing to do. Welcome back, Kim!

I didn’t do it on purpose. I wasn’t trying to be nosy. Honest. I just happened to glance down at my college professor’s desk as I handed in my paper. She had a seating chart to help her remember the names of her students. The word she had written next to my name jumped out at me like a flame — plain. Not great smile. Not curly hair. Not wire-rimmed glasses. Plain. Ouch.

That was almost 40 years ago, yet I still remember the incident clearly. It is a testament to the power of words.

I love words. I enjoy reading and writing. If I could while away the hours of the day with my nose in a good book, I would. A day with uninterrupted hours for writing is a dream.

I also love The Word and the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. Sharing this with others is imperative, and writing makes this easier for the introvert I am.

As I write this, my blog is about two-and-a-half years old. I find it rewarding, and I do have some followers. It is my desire to share stories and experiences with my readers in the hopes I can point them to Jesus. Words of encouragement are my goal.

Last fall, I struggled through a period of dark gloominess. I honestly felt as if I were doing battle with a dark force. Remember how that word, plain, jumped out at me like a flame? That is exactly what I was getting from the enemy — fiery darts in the form of hateful words.

What do you think you’re doing-trying to write?

No one reads your silly little blog.

You can’t be serious. Why don’t you just give up?

Who do you think you are, Miss Bestseller Wannabe?

Who are you kidding? You’re not a writer.

The easy thing would have been to give up. Add blogging/writing to the list of other things I had tried and failed. But, then there were other words. Words from my Father.

I am at peace in this new year that is barely born. I have words to write, things to say. But I know who I am. Plain. And that’s ok. I may not ever have thousands of readers following my blog or a book on the bestseller list. However, if one person is encouraged by one thing I have written, if one person is prompted to resume their walk with God, I will be satisfied.

I may be plain, but I have a Father in heaven who knows me and loves me. He is helping me to boldly walk in the reality of who I am. A (plain) daughter of the King.

Do you ever feel like giving up, that your efforts aren’t making a difference? Sometimes being bold simply means not quitting when quitting seems the easiest thing to do.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

Kim is a wife and a mother of two adult children who have flown the coop and left her with an almost empty nest. Her “baby” is a comical Welsh Corgi named Sir Higgins. A native Floridian, she enjoys frequent trips to the beach. Kim stays busy as a MOPS mentor mom, in Women’s Bible studies and writing a blog called Feathering My Empty Nest.

Reading, traveling and crafting are favorite pastimes. Most importantly, Kim is a follower of Christ and a passionate student of God’s word.

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Discussion

Kim, we must be kindred spirits! While I am sorry for your days of darkness and discouragement, it helps to know there is someone in the lifeboat with me. Thank you for your transparency and encouragement to keep on keeping on. Blessings from your neighbor at Kelly’s

You have a beautiful way of drawing me into your story! Not plain at all! Thanks for sharing your personal pain. It is so encouraging to me as I wrestle with similar discouragement! Don’t quit – Keep writing! Blessings!

Plain usually goes with simple and that is what the Word really is. People have complicated it. Be ye kind goes a long way. Maybe you didn’t see all the notes. If I had been there, mine would have said fat. I know that feeling seeing OBESE in giant red letters that made it look TERMINAL. Thankfully, I have learned to see me as He does, He calls me beautiful.

I like that. Simple. And the older I get, the more I crave simplicity. Rebecca, thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately, you are probably right. (I don’t remember my professor being very nice). The ironic thing is that she was wheel-chair bound. I often wonder if that is how she would have liked to be described.

Sarah, it’s true. Words are so powerful. I was talking to a friend yesterday-she is in her 50’s like me-she remembers kids in Jr. High making fun of her nose. Good work with your girls. I did the same. My daughter is very careful with her words and she was kind to others all through school – not a mean girl at all.